Snow Disappearance at Om Parvat Raises Concerns

For the first time, Uttarakhand's Om Parvat was completely devoid of snow last week, alarming visitors and locals. This phenomenon, primarily attributed to global warming, scanty rainfall, increased vehicular pollution, and ongoing construction activities, led to the disappearance of the iconic 'Om' symbol formed by snow on the mountain. Experts like Sunil Nautiyal and Hemant Pande emphasized the impact of rising temperatures and increased human activities on the region's fragile ecosystem. The increased tourist footfall following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit has also been cited as a contributing factor to the ecosystem's disturbance. Although a fresh bout of snowfall temporarily restored the snow cover, the event underscores the severe environmental challenges facing the Himalayas and the need for stringent environmental measures.